Grossman Corporation is considering a new project requiring a \(30,000 investment in an asset having no salvage value. The project would produce \)12,000 of pretax income before depreciation at the end of each of the next six years. The company’s income tax rate is 40%. In compiling its tax return and computing its income tax payments, the company can choose between two alternative depreciation schedules as shown in the table.
Straight-Line MACRS
Depreciation Depreciation*
Year 1 . . . . . . . . . . \( 3,000 \)6,000
Year 2 . . . . . . . . . . 6,000 9,600
Year 3 . . . . . . . . . . 6,000 5,760
Year 4 . . . . . . . . . . 6,000 3,456
Year 5 . . . . . . . . . . 6,000 3,456
Year 6 . . . . . . . . . . 2,000 1,728
Totals . . . . . . . . . . . \(30,000 \)30,000
Required
1. Prepare a five-column table that reports amounts (assuming use of straight-line depreciation) for each of the following items for each of the six years: (a) pretax income before depreciation, (b) straight-line depreciation expense, (c) taxable income, (d) income taxes, and (e) net cash flow. Net cash flow equals the amount of income before depreciation minus the income taxes. (Round answers to the nearest dollar.)
2. Prepare a five-column table that reports amounts (assuming use of MACRS depreciation) for each of the following items for each of the six years: (a) pretax income before depreciation, (b) MACRS depreciation expense, (c) taxable income, (d) income taxes, and (e) net cash flow. Net cash flow equals the amount of income before depreciation minus the income taxes. (Round answers to the nearest dollar.)
3. Compute the net present value of the investment if straight-line depreciation is used. Use 10% as the discount rate. (Round the net present value to the nearest dollar.)
4. Compute the net present value of the investment if MACRS depreciation is used. Use 10% as the discount rate. (Round the net present value to the nearest dollar.)
Analysis Component
5. Explain why the MACRS depreciation method increases the net present value of this project.
